"A dress that zips up the back will bring a husband and wife together."

- James H. Boren

Pease Vote

Comment

And Follow me ...

...............................

Nicolai Petropoulis' POV

       It's been two weeks for supposedly a week vacation only in Athens. Lots of things happened; Natalia's successful 22nd birthday, our sudden wedding, Elle is pregnant and now, still an unknown threat to everyone, Elle's stalker. 

We had done everything we could. Dad's efficient private investigator, together with his friend's trusted investigator didn't get any lead either. 

It was frustrating and it scares me whenever she's out of my sight. But, she has a job in New York that's waiting for her and so am I. I had to go back to New York to talk to zio about the company. He finally opened it himself about selling the company to me. I have been waiting for the right time.

So here we are, back in New York. 

"I'm leaving hon." I nodded and gave her a quick kiss. 

"Keep your ears with your cell phone and keep it on always, sweet pea." I reminded her, once more. Though, I know there are eyes watching her -the only option to caught whoever was stalking her- I still don't know if that stalker has ways to get into her. 

"I will. Please, stop worrying." She chuckled as she leaned over to me to give me a kiss. I pulled her waist closer to me and deepened the kiss. It was hard to let her go to work without me.  

Although dad and petheros decided to pay someone to watch her the whole time, I couldn't force myself to feel calm and confident.

When she left, I heaved a loud sigh. I can't seem to be at peace. I decided to call zio and meet him in his place to talk about the company. 

........................................

Eleanor Pallos Petropoulis' POV

        I was so excited to see my friends. It's weird because I used to drive to my place. Now, I was driven by one of Nicolai's minions and also few securities in tow, courtesy of my dad. I know, that stalker had erupted chaos in both my family and Nico's family. 

They were so paranoid whenever they don't see me around them. I can't blame them because I myself was terrified, especially  now, I'm carrying our baby. 

When the SUV stops in front the Baumgartner building, I bounced out of the SUV and headed straight to the entrance with a wide smile. I didn't notice where the SUV went or the securities headed. I greeted every employee I met on my way to the elevator and decided to see JJ first. I thought to call uncle Jude for dinner tonight to tell them the good news. I felt guilty for not inviting them, but it was impossible because the wedding was impromptu. 

I hope he's not upset like JJ. Sometimes, that guy is overdramatic, but I know he will forgive me right away, once I said sorry to him. He's always the sweet big brother to me. 

As soon as I reach his floor, I walk past several cubicles as I greeted each one, then headed to JJ's office. I saw her secretary, Mary.

"Is he here?" I smiled at her. She looks exhausted and weary. I can't contain my curiosity. She looks like she's having a problem. Probably her family. Mary is a married woman with two sons. She's already at her mid-thirties, but still looking vibrant and good looking.

"Yes." She nodded, forcing a tight smile then she continued on tapping the keyboard. She does looks troubled.

I rap the door twice and I heard JJ's growling voice saying "come in". I plastered a wide smile in my face as I opened the door. 

He quickly looks up and his face lit up when he saw me. "Baby doll!" He quickly stood up and close our gap before I could say anything. He swept me off my feet and spun me around. I felt a little dizzy when he puts me down. He looks so happy and excited. 

Though he looks like he had forgotten to look at the mirror. His stubbles are longer and his eyes are bloodshot. "Are you drunk?" I asked. My forehead furrowed. I couldn't contain chuckling though because he really looks creepy. 

He laughs after.

"Sorry. I was just too busy this days. Plus I broke up with Micha." He chuckled bitterly. 

"Oh.. I'm sorry." Now that explains. He looks hurt. There are other girls out there who will be willing to be with you, JJ." I tried to console him. He looks at me in silence. I don't know what's running in his head.

Then, all of a sudden, he smiled broadly. "Your hair is growing. You need to get it cut. Get that straight bob cut, it suits you well. You look so pretty, like my sister Teisha." He commented and I saw the sadness in his eyes and the adoration. He really loves her so much and I understand. He was really a good and loving brother. I had seen it for two years being with him. It's too bad that she died, too early.

"Soon." I just smiled. I was thinking to grow it back just like my old hairstyle. JJ actually suggested this haircut so I would look fiercer and more classy, and also to look more like his sister -which uncle Jude agreed. I thought I would make them happy so I did. I happen to love it too because it actually lifts my confidence. 

"So how's the married life?" He asked and led me to the couch -to his mini living room of his office.

We sat both on the three seater couch. I put my purse on my side, then face him. "It was fun. I'm happy. You know how much I dreamed of him to marry me one day, right?" I can't help myself from grinning like a fool, clasping my hands on my lap.

I saw the sadness in his eyes, but I ignored it. I stop talking about it, not wanting him to feel jealous. I know he's heartbroken and here I am, happily married.

"I'm sorry for not inviting you. It was sudden, and we can't wait though after our family agreed." I explained. 

"It's alright baby doll. We should celebrate it tonight with dad." He smiled. The JJ I knew was bad. His face is bright and I know he's really happy for me.

"Alright, go back to work and I'll pick you up and have dinner at our house tonight. Dad is ecstatic to see you." JJ was excited. I stood up and picks up my purse, hoisting up on my shoulder, I nodded. I gave him another hug and then left.

.................................

I was done talking to two clients on the phone and was about to power down my computer to have my lunch when my phone started ringing.

I fished it out of my purse and I saw Nicolai's name blinking. I smiled as I connected the call.

"Hello," 

"Sweetpea," I hear his husky voice and all the exhaustion I felt washes away. I leaned on my chair and stared at my computer monitor unattentively.

"Did you had lunch?" He asked.

"Not yet. I was just done. I'm about to." I responded shortly. "And you?" I asked.

"I had to finish this documents before meeting zio tonight for dinner. We have to talk about the company. He offered me to buy it. I've been waiting for this," he explains and I felt disappointed. I was expecting him to come with me to have dinner with uncle Jude tonight. Looks like I'm going alone.

"Well, JJ and uncle Jude were expecting me at dinner tonight at their place to celebrate our wedding and I already said yes, hon," I explained. I can't cancel it.

"Can you cancel it?" He sounded scared. 

"Hon, I can't. I already upset JJ for not inviting in our wedding." I sigh. "What if you go have a dinner with zio and I'll go alone. Besides, I will be meeting the Baumgartner." I suggested and the other line went silence.

"Nico?" I called out.

I heard him sigh. "I'll just finish this last contract and I'll come and pick you up. We will have lunch together."

"Alright." I agreed. "See you in a bit, and I love you, Nico." 

"I love you so much, sweet pea." Then, I ended the call.

"Hey Elle," Starr called as she walks to my direction. She was holding her purse. "I'm going out for lunch. Want to join me?" She asked, with her smile as sweet as the sugar.

"I'm sorry Starr. Nico is coming. If you want you can join us?" I smiled. I shut down the computer and stack all the brown filing folders in one pile.

"Oh no, thanks. I don't want to be a chaperone." She shook her head. "I'll see you then after lunch." She waves her hand and then left.

....................................

"In case I bought the company, will you resign your job and live with me in Italy, sweetpea?" Asked Nico while pulling a chair for me. We just arrived at a Chinese restaurant five minutes away from my workplace.

 "But, I love this job, Nico." I sat. I felt suddenly torn, leaving my job and living with Nico in Italy. I don't know if JJ would be fine if I'll leave. 

"IFIG headquarter is based in Italy, Elle. I had to stay there until the transfer is fully completed, then it will take a time to move the main office." He explains. 

"Well, give me time to talk to JJ then, hon." I agreed. I saw his eyes lit up and I felt happy. I love him so much and wherever he is, I'm going with him. 

"Fine." He gave up and I smiled. The waiter arrived and we gave our order. 

"Have you talk to Xandrous recently?" I asked. Ever since we were in Athens, I don't remember him hanging out with Xandrous. He was always with dad or with his dad. 

"No. I think, he's busy with his love life." He shook his head. Definitely, he knew something.

"Do you think they are dating and Vicky?" I asked him. I barely see Vicky when I was back home. I talk to her once, and hang out with her, but that's it. She always avoids the topic about them and Xandrous. 

"I don't know. Maybe. They seem to be looking so sweet when we arrived there." Nico shrugs his shoulder and I thought, why did I ask his opinion? Man doesn't care about others other than their own life.

Our food arrived and we ate in silence. Nico was very attentive and never fail to make me feel so loved and appreciated. "You have to eat all of that, sweetpea. I don't want you and my baby to get hungry." He was watching me as I struggled in finishing my sweet and sour with rice. 

"I can't anymore. I'm stuffed." I shook my head and pushed the plate away from me. 

"Are you sure?" He looks at me with disapproval. I only ate half of my plate. I know it's odd. I can eat the whole plate and even ask for more, but today, it seems like I felt stuffed.

"Yes." I nodded my head. 

"Do you want anything else?" He asked wearing a worried face.

"I would love a mango ice-cream." I leaned on him and smelled his scent. I crunched my nose when I smelt that awful scent. What happened to his smell that I love? Did he change his perfume?

When he saw my face, his eyebrow quirk.

"I don't like your smell." I scooted back. He smelled himself, then he looks at me. 

"But this is my old perfume ever since?" He looks at me with confusion. "I even only sprayed a bit. And you told me before that you loved my smell that's why I kept that perfume until now. I even bought three of this Giorgio Armani Acqua Di Gio Pour Homme, in case they will run out of it." He pouted and I almost burst out in laughter.

I shook my head. "I don't like it." 

"Fine." He looks disappointed. I wanted to take my word, but I can't really help myself. I really don't like the smell of his perfume. It's revolting. "Come with me to the mall then and you will pick the perfume for me." He forces a smile and I chuckled. I find him cute when he's disappointed.

I don't understand myself why I find this little thing too funny and even that Giorgio Armani perfume, I really like it, but now, I find it revolting. 

Strange.

Nico paid our bill, then he led me out to his car. I saw the SUV where my driver and security was, following us discreetly. "We will go to the ice-cream store and buy you your mango flavor, then we will head out to the mall," Nico said as he started the engine. I felt so excited. I know it wasn't a date, but I felt like it was a date. We will go to the mall together. 

A smile plastered in my face. I forgot, I have some work waiting for me. 

He parked the car in front of an ice-cream parlor. We both climbed out of his Ferrari spider and then head inside the ice-cream store. The only ice-cream store still opened on fall.

"Two mango ice-cream please," He ordered to the young lady in front of the counter. I saw how she stared at him with awe, swooning over my husband. I should get myself used to this scenario. Any women couldn't help themselves but admired every beautiful creation of God.

When he paid it, we both seated to an empty booth just over by the window. As soon as I sat, I started eating my ice-cream. It was really good. Nico was watching me eating it like I haven't eaten in years.

"Slow down, sweetpea. You'll get choked." He chuckled as he took one tissue and wipe the corner of my mouth. His eyes shining with joy as he watches me eating my ice-cream. 

"Hmm..  .w-ont get chhoke-" 

"Please swallow that before you talk, baby." He chuckled and I chuckled, too. 

I ate mine and then I asked for more. He gave me his that was barely eaten. I knew I would be wanting more.

Once I felt satisfied, we headed out, to the mall.

We passed an Armani store and I saw the suit and coats displayed in the mannequins and all of a sudden, I felt the urge to pick some suit and tie for him.

"Wait," I tug his hand to stop and he looks at me with curiosity.

"Let's get inside the Armani store first." I tug his hand inside the store and he didn't protest. I was so excited. All of a sudden, I wanted to see him trying all this expensive suits. 

............................................

Nicolai Petropoulis' POV

          "Welcome to Armani Sir/Madame." A young man in a suit greeted us and I just nodded. My wife was still tugging my hand, inside the big store. She looks so elated and I have this feeling that it's going to be a torture.

She drags me to an entire standing rack of a crisp shirt with different hues and started browsing it. I was standing beside her. She'll occasionally pull one shirt and place it in front of me to see how it looks like on me. 

"Sweetpea, I have tons of shirts. I don't need more." I shook my head, but she just gave me a disapproving look and I shut my mouth, not wanting to make her mad.

I remember what the doctor said before we left Athens. "Don't stress her. Whatever she asks, give it. Sometimes, they ask odd stuff, it's part of their pregnancy. They crave and that's normal." 

So even how much I wanted to stop her, I'd rather shut my mouth than pissing her off. "Do you find anything you need?" A lady on her mid-twenties approaches us with a wide smile. She looks at her and then her smile vanished. Now she looks like a jealous wife and I felt happy for some reason.

"Well, actually I need some shirts for my HUSBAND, some suit pants and coats." She really emphasized the word husband and I almost burst into laughter. I saw how serious she is and I thought to hold my amusement before I'll get into trouble. 

They say, don't mess with pregnant.

"Sure," the lady smiled. Elle smiles as she closes our gap. "If you would like Ms-"

"Mrs. Petropoulis," Elle proudly corrected and I smiled to the girl. I saw how she looks surprised. 

"Mrs and Mr. Petropoulis, I'm Suzanne. If you would like to wait at the fitting room, I will bring all our new arrival shirts, coats, and pants." The girl smiled and we both nodded. 

She led us to the big fitting room, which is like a waiting room. Consist of a couch with a coffee table on one corner, all in black and glass, and a room opposite the couch, which I think the changing room. In the middle of the room, where a round black podium with a platform made of glass. 

Not long, a rack was pushed by two guys in suit, with Suzanne following them. 

"Alright, here we go Mr. Petropoulis. If you want to start with this white slim fit shirt." She pulled the hanger and then handed it to me. 

Not long, my torture started. I was like a doll being played dress up with my wife. She was sitting on the couch looking ecstatic and I have no heart to ruin that joy.

Elle's eyes were twinkling with excitement. I took the shirt, grunting inwardly and walk into the changing room. 

I heard Suzanne offering my wife some wine. "Would you like something to drink, Mrs. Petropoulis? We have several Chardonnay, Reisling,-" 

"No thanks, Suzanne. I'm pregnant. I can't take any wine yet." She chuckled. 

I felt relieved that she knew that. I quickly put on the shirt. 

"We have a non-alcoholic champagne Mrs. Petropoulis." I heard Suzanne suggested. I didn't hear what my wife said. As soon as I'm done, I quickly stepped out of the changing room. 

I saw Suzanne handing her the flute of non-alcoholic champagne.

"After that, then you're not having more." I warned her and she just nodded.

"Go on the podium, hon. I want to try this cool thing." She pointed on the glass platform and I groaned loudly, yet I found myself obeying her. She was holding a small remote control. As soon as I stood on the platform, she pointed the remote onto the thing and she press something and the podium starts to move, slowly moving clockwise. 

Now my back was facing her. I'm already getting annoyed each second. "Alright, sweetpea. You have to decide, we have no time left. We need to get ready for tonight." I tried to find a way to get the hell out of the store.

"I like this one. We'll get it." I heard her and I felt relieved. I thought my torture was over, but I was wrong. After the white shirt comes another shirt and another ...

.................................

Eleanor Pallos Petropoulis' POV

       I was back at work, just before five. We spent almost five hours in the mall. I was so happy. I saw how exhausted and mad he is, but he skillfully masked his emotions. 

That's the perks of being pregnant. You could do anything with your husband. 

I was smiling like a fool and I even forget about the dinner. Now sitting on my chair, I felt the exhaustion kicking in. All I wanted now is my bed and Nico. 

I don't think I could go to that dinner. Maybe I'll just cancel it.

I dialed JJ's number. Not long, it connected.

"Hey," I said in my drowsy, and tired voice.

"What's up? You sounded tired?" he commented.

"I do." I agreed momentarily. "You don't mind if I'll cancel the dinner tonight and move it tomorrow, do you?" I asked with hopes.

"Of course, no!" He responded shortly. I was too tired to hear that bitterness and harshness in his voice.  "Tomorrow then. You can take a rest for now." He added on. 

"Thanks, JJ. I'll see you tomorrow, promise." I said and then hung up when he agreed.

I called Nico next.

"Nicolai, Speak." 

"Hon, it's me, Elle." 

"What's wrong?" I hear the worries in his voice. 

"Nothing hon. I just want to let you know that I cancelled the dinner with JJ and uncle Jude. I'm exhausted. I will just finish make a few phone calls then heads home." I explained.

"Alright. I will meet zio Vincenso now so I can go home earlier then." He decided. 

"I'll be fine, hon. You can take your time with zio. Don't rush." 

"No. I'll call him now and I'll see him at five. I should be home before eight." He explained and I just agreed. I know I can't stop him.

"Alright. I'll see you later then." Then I hung up the phone.

I decided to finish the works in front of me before I'll leave home. I started calling all my prospective clients if they decided when they wanted to see all this houses, giving them an idea and suggesting which houses would best fit their family and so forth and on. 

I was too immersed with talking with my last client when I realized it's already past six-thirty. When I look at my phone, I notice it was dead. 

Dammit!

"Well, Ms. Clark, if you decided, please let me know. I will arrange all the necessary papers for you." I told the old lady.

"I will, Ms. Elle." She agreed.

I hang up the phone and place it back to its receiver. I shut down the computer. I saw Kenneth and some girls still in their cubicles working later as well. 

I quickly tidy up my table before heading out to the parking lot. It's already dark. It's just six forty-five. I just hope Nico didn't call me or anything. I don't want him to worry about me.

As soon as I got out of the building, I look for the SUV. I saw it just a few meters away. I smiled and walk along the sidewalk, heading towards the SUV.

It's weird that I didn't see any drivers or security beside the door. I thought maybe they didn't see me coming. As soon as I'm close, I felt someone behind me. When I tried to look, I felt his hands around me and then a fabric covering my mouth and nose. I smelled the thing, and before I could do something, I felt myself falling into darkness.

NICO!!!!! I screamed .... or only in my head?

.............................................

A/N: I apologized for the slow updates. 

Hope to get more supports from everyone.. thank you and please do ignore all the grammatical errors.. thank you!